What wrong with my cauliflower??

[*Feather*]

Hi everyone,

The florets of my cauliflower romanesco have gone a bit funny... It's the second time it's happened! The first time happened with normal cauli, and I don't know why or how I can fix it. Any ideas anyone?

Thanks!

[rustylady]

Had to enlarge the image to have a good look (My sight is getting worser and worser). Looks to me as if it's starting to bolt (run to seed). You need to cut all cauliflower and broccoli while the heads are nice and tight, even if they're small

[Snadger]

Hi feather and welcome to the vine!

I would hazzard a guess that the 'blown' romanesco could be down to the soil it was planted in being too loose! I know that sprouts blow because of this and the soil for them needs to be really compacted. I don't think any of the brassica's like newly worked soil!

As I said, just a guess, but I am sure someone may be along who is more knowledgeable on this subject

[nick the grief]

I'd go with that Snadger as well.

[*Feather*]

Thanks everyone! That actually makes sense, as I planted them in raised beds with very soft soil. I know what to do next time

[JennieAtkinson]

My brusssels were open last year and I worked out that it was because I had the soil very loose. So compacted it all this year and guess what ? they didn't grow at all !

[*Feather*]

oh no!! any ideas why that happened? I was just going to try and compact the soil a bit for the next lot...

[PAULW]

FEATHER
I grew the romanesco type this year and found them not very uniform unlike the white cauli and nothing like the picture on the packet when it came to producing the floret, it does look like yours had just started to blow but I wouldn't say it was anything you have done wrong you just turned your back at the wrong moment and pop off they went, still they have a nice taste and I will give them another go ( I dont like to waste seeds)

[*Feather*]

Thanks Paul! The first couple I harvested were very nicely shaped, but the other ones have all started to 'blow'. Do you still eat them after they blow? or will they be too tough?

[PAULW]

Yes you can eat them they just dont look so good and the romanesco type divide into spears when you cut them anyway.

[*Feather*]

Thank you! I'm glad they won't go to waste

[purplevegman1]

This Is Not A Cauliflower But Brocolli.just Cut The Florets When They Are An Inch To Inch And A Half Long.when You Get About A Inch From The Top Cut That Off.